Page 24

This conversation was decidedly uncomfortable, yet there was no hint of malice. Only genuine concern. “I understand,” Barclay said, his tone softening. “You wish to anticipate the troubles that the child might endure in the future. To predict and take measures to prepare the boy for the challenges he will face.” He ran his thumb along the edge of his teacup, the motion steady and sure.

The duke’s face relaxed, a touch of relief smoothing out the lines of tension across his brow. He set his teacup down with deliberate grace, the porcelain clinking softly against the saucer. “I understand it is an imposition, but you are uniquely experienced to deliver insight. You are a lauded professional in your field despite your mother’s unwed status, so we felt that your situation would have some parity to Ethan’s as the acknowledged son of a peer, yet with similar parental circumstances.”

Barclay leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking as he shifted. “It will not be easy for him,” he said, his voice tempered with certainty. “Some will accept him for his connections and his own merit. Others will mock him or turn from him without explanation. Unwarranted antagonism is assured.”

He paused, gathering his thoughts. “I would prepare him for school. Take measures to teach him how to defend himself in the event of a physical scuffle, but instruct him on how to ignore taunting and follow his own path when he can. Some battles are unavoidable, but diplomacy is always best to pursue.”

Richard shook his head in disgust, his hand coming up to fidget with his cravat once more, the linen twisting under his fingers. “I cannot believe I have created this situation for my son.” His voice cracked slightly, the edge of remorse unmistakable.

Barclay tilted his head back to study the intricate patterns of the painted ceiling. His own grandfather had overseen the artistry there—the sweeping arcs of vines intertwined with heraldic symbols and bursts of floral detail that whispered of grandeur and tradition. When he was prepared to speak, he leaned forward to peer directly into his brother’s eyes.

“Richard, you are here for him now, and that is worth something. Tsar could have had me raised by strangers, but he did not. I owe everything to the old man for standing by me. Ethan is fortunate to have a father who feels responsible for the situation and who takes care to pave the way for his future.”

Richard’s hand came up to fidget with his cravat once more, his expression tight with concern. “How did you handle it? All those issues you referred to?”

“Tsar is a man skilled in negotiation. From a young age, he taught me how to handle men. How to make self-important lords pay their bills in a timely manner, how to manipulate suppliers when they attempt to raise prices or delay deliveries, how to contend with competitors and maintain good relationships with all of these men while refusing to be taken advantage of. You will do the same for Ethan. The boy is intelligent, and he will turn this situation to his advantage.”

The duke cleared his throat, setting his teacup down with careful precision. “The question that really lingers is … are you accepted socially?”

“No. I am tolerated for my professional prowess, but I am not invited into their homes.” He allowed his gaze to drift to the window, where sunlight spilled in patterns across the parquet floor. “Tsar assures me that will change now that Richard has acknowledged me as his brother, but I have to say I am not excited by such a prospect. If I was not acceptable in my own right, I cannot respect these people for changing their minds because of my new connection to the wealthy Earl of Saunton.” His voice grew firm. “However, if it will ease the path for Tatiana, or allow my mother entry to places she wishes to access, then I will ignore the slights of the past. I will grin and bear it, so to speak.”

Richard’s face displayed his alarm, his hand stilling from its fidgeting. “You are not accepted socially? Not anywhere?”

“I have good relationships with tradesmen and suppliers. Some clients. They are more accepting of my situation, especially given my talents, but my mother has struggled.” His voice softened, and he stared into his teacup as if the swirling liquid held answers. “She has been attempting to join a lady’s society for some time, but she has been rejected on several occasions. Now she has reapplied on the strength of our change in circumstances. I prefer to not pursue unworthy connections, but it is important to her because my grandmother was a member, and she wishes to follow in her footsteps.”

A thoughtful silence stretched between the three men, the ticking of the longcase clock in the corner marking the seconds. Finally, Barclay looked back up. “I have yet to discover how my own situation will be altered once word of this new … kinship … gets around.”

“What of your wife? Was she affected by the situation?”

“Natalya was a private woman who valued her time on this earth. Her days were numbered, and she had no patience to pursue relationships with English families that were hostile.” Barclay’s gaze grew distant, his hands curling around his teacup as if it might anchor him. “She made friends where she could easily do so, despite being wed to a by-blow, and ignored the rest to spend her time with Tatiana and myself.”

Richard slumped back in his chair, his cravat now askew from his compulsive fidgeting. The tall windows behind him cast long ribbons of light across the polished surface of the desk, flickering like sunlight on water. “I am sorry I did not learn of you sooner.”

Barclay smiled, the expression gentle but firm. “It is not your cross to bear, brother. The blame is squarely at the feet of the man who is not here to answer for his actions.” He leaned forward, his gaze steady. “I respect what you have done for Ethan, and I hope his path will be easier than mine. After all, he has the advantage of your support.”

The three men sipped on their tea, the silence settling comfortably between them as the clock on the mantel ticked away the passing moments. Eventually, Richard broke the silence, setting his cup down with a soft clink.

“On another matter, I could do with some advice.”

The duke chuckled, the sound low and smooth. “Is that not what we have been doing here? Advising you?” He raised his brow with mild amusement, his gaze flickering between the two brothers.

“I meant on a less strenuous subject.” Richard rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes brightening with sudden purpose. “This matter involves Jane Davis.”

Barclay nearly choked on his tea. He carefully placed his cup and saucer back on the tray, drawing a fortifying breath as he willed his composure to return. “Should I leave you to it?”

Richard frowned, shaking his head. “No, you are family now. I would appreciate your thoughts.”

Halmesbury finished his tea, setting his cup down with deliberate grace. “What of the young lady?”

Barclay leaned back in his chair, the soft leather creaking beneath his weight. He found his head tilting back so he might study the painted ceiling once more—the familiar swirls of delicate flora and scrollwork that had once been merely lines on Tsar’s drafting table. The discussion about his own situation had been uncomfortable enough, but the notion of sitting through Richard’s musings on the young woman he admired felt distinctly more troubling. His hand tightened imperceptibly on the armrest.

This is deuced awkward.

“I received a letter from London. Lord Lawson has written to me to pose the possibility of his courting her. He states he was quite taken with her at the ball we held for Emma and Jane earlier this month.” Richard’s green eyes clouded with discomfort.

Halmesbury frowned, setting his teacup down with a decisive click against the saucer. “The man is forty years of age! He has daughters of an age as Jane.” His brow furrowed as if the very notion caused him physical discomfort.

Richard rose to his feet, his long strides carrying him back and forth before the window. “Precisely. I know that the man is yet to have an heir, but his wife has been gone only two years and now he wishes to pursue a young woman under my protection.” He halted to stare out over the grounds, fingers clasped tightly behind his back. “I cannot quite bring myself to consider it.”